Best tangs

[Neo Jeo]

This is true. I’ve never owned a tang that nipped coral but it is possible in rare occasions.

Do you think a Tomini tang and kole tang can live together or due to the same family that will be a no?

Thanks

 

[CindyKz]

I have a Tomini in a 4 ft tank. He uses the entire length, I wouldn't consider going shorter.

 

[4FordFamily]

Do you think a Tomini tang and kole tang can live together or due to the same family that will be a no?

Thanks

It’s possible in a larger tank if added concurrently but almost certainly not in a 55.

As far as bristletooth tangs go, a Kole is one of the more aggressive, typically.

 

[Neo Jeo]

It’s possible in a larger tank if added concurrently but almost certainly not in a 55.

As far as bristletooth tangs go, a Kole is one of the more aggressive, typically.

I have a 120G tank and my Tomini tang is VERY aggressive for a few days when adding new fish then he calms down. I have a yellow and a tomini tang, I wanted 1 more but I think a kole would be the best bet. I think a purple tang would be to aggressive. Or I just stick with my 2 tangs and get some smaller fishes

Thanks

 

[4FordFamily]

I have a 120G tank and my Tomini tang is VERY aggressive for a few days when adding new fish then he calms down. I have a yellow and a tomini tang, I wanted 1 more but I think a kole would be the best bet. I think a purple tang would be to aggressive. Or I just stick with my 2 tangs and get some smaller fishes

Thanks

Adding a single tang to that environment is not likely to end well. They can and often to gang up on the newcomer. The only chance you have is probably an acclimation box. A Kole added to a Tomini that already shows aggression to newcomers is not likely to go well -- they're both bristletooth tangs and in direct competition for resources.

Here's an article I wrote on tang aggression, you may find helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/

 

[Neo Jeo]

Adding a single tang to that environment is not likely to end well. They can and often to gang up on the newcomer. The only chance you have is probably an acclimation box. A Kole added to a Tomini that already shows aggression to newcomers is not likely to go well -- they're both bristletooth tangs and in direct competition for resources.

Here's an article I wrote on tang aggression, you may find helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/

Ok,
thanks for the info. Ill skip adding another tang then My Tomini is a mean, mean boy!

 

[Neo Jeo]

Adding a single tang to that environment is not likely to end well. They can and often to gang up on the newcomer. The only chance you have is probably an acclimation box. A Kole added to a Tomini that already shows aggression to newcomers is not likely to go well -- they're both bristletooth tangs and in direct competition for resources.

Here's an article I wrote on tang aggression, you may find helpful:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/tang-aggression-understanding-and-combating.76/

So LA.com has a purple tang for $95! That guy our of the question right? He’s more aggressive right?

 

[4FordFamily]

So LA.com has a purple tang for $95! That guy our of the question right? He’s more aggressive right?

I would not add any tangs to your situation due to crowding and the likelihood of the two resident tangs not accepting the newcomer.

In addition and very importantly — the yellow is in the same genus of tangs (zebrasoma) so in addition to a nasty Tomini the yellow is likely to viciously attack an incoming zebrasoma tang.

 

[4FordFamily]

So LA.com has a purple tang for $95! That guy our of the question right? He’s more aggressive right?

If you were to add more tangs, they’d have to be those that stay relatively small and add two more rather than one. No guarantees this would work, and it doesn’t account for space — but a purple and scopas, or purple and black, or purple and gem would give you better odds as aggression would be spread and the yellow wouldn’t choose one target over the other (likely) because they’re all of the same genus. I have mixed zebrasoma in my 180: yellow, purple, gem, and desjardini sailfin. I have mine packed full of tangs but a lot of time and preparing went in to that as well as adding them in batches.

As mine outgrow the 180, some will be moved to my 500 Gal 10 foot wall tank in my basement.

 

[Neo Jeo]

If you were to add more tangs, they’d have to be those that stay relatively small and add two more rather than one. No guarantees this would work, and it doesn’t account for space — but a purple and scopas, or purple and black, or purple and gem would give you better odds as aggression would be spread and the yellow wouldn’t choose one target over the other (likely) because they’re all of the same genus. I have mixed zebrasoma in my 180: yellow, purple, gem, and desjardini sailfin. I have mine packed full of tangs but a lot of time and preparing went in to that as well as adding them in batches.

As mine outgrow the 180, some will be moved to my 500 Gal 10 foot wall tank in my basement.

Alright, thanks for claiming me down! I’ll stick with the plan

 

[Bradley Keck]

For most tangs, the whole minimum water volume thing is very misleading. Powder blues (or browns) pace back and forth pretty incessantly, so tank length is more important than volume. In that regard, a standard (4'L) 55 gallon is not much different from a standard (also 4'L) 90 gallon tank. I've kept these fish in 4'L tanks, but never felt that it was good for them, and I'd consider a 6' long tank to really be the minimum to keep any acanthurus comfortable.

Tomini tangs (Ctenochaetus spp, sometimes called 'bristletooth') are IMO gorgeous fish, very active, and generally do well in smaller tanks. I'd still consider a 55g to be the minimum for any surgeonfish.

Indeed, same length for swimming, but volume is VERY important particularly in regards to bioload and O2 capacity. When we are talking about a species of fish that will likely reach a minimum of 6in, volume really does need to be considered not just length of the tank. Which in the case of comparing a 90g to 55g actually makes a pretty big difference. I was able to pack 30+ African cichlids into a 5ft 120g tank, but with saltwater, I could not even consider that due to O2 saturation of saltwater compared to fresh. So, one could argue that in the case of saltwater, it becomes even more important to consider your tank volume when planning your tank inhabitants.